Waterproof barrier for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids of a user

ABSTRACT

A waterproof barrier that replaceably attaches to an upholstered weight bench and maintains the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids from a previous user. The waterproof barrier includes a cover, a backing, and a maintaining apparatus. The cover selectively covers the upholstered weight bench and absorbs the body fluids of the current user of the upholstered weight bench. The backing lines the cover and prevents the body fluids from a previous user of the upholstered weight bench from coming into contact with the current user. The maintaining apparatus extends around the cover and selectively holds the waterproof barrier onto the upholstered weight bench.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a barrier, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a waterproof barrier for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids of a user.

Description of the Prior Art

It is often recommended, if not required, by health club management that each of its members bring with them a towel when exercising on club's fitness equipment. The intent of the towel is to mitigate sweat from reaching the upholstery of exercise equipment. The size of the bath towel normally chosen by exercisers, however, is generally inadequate to cover the entire area of the equipment upholstery. As such, in this manner body sweat is able to reach the upholstery, which spawns the second purpose of having a towel available when exercising, which is to wipe off body sweat from the exercise machine.

A second problem with ordinary bath/beach towels used by exercisers is they ordinarily move, slide, or fall off the exercise equipment when the user places their body on them. Exercisers will stretch out a simple bathroom towel over exercise equipment padding with the intent to minimize their body skin from contacting the equipment padding and the towel will fall off the equipment thus exposing their skin to harmful bacteria left from other exercisers. In worse cases the towel falls on the floor requiring the exerciser to stop their workout and pick up their towel off the dirty floor and start over, as a result adding more time to their workout.

Numerous innovations for exercise towels have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the embodiments of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,719 to Sarnecki

U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,719—issued to Sarnecki on Jul. 14, 1981 in U.S. class 428 and subclass 78—teaches a waterproof backed beach towel including an absorbent cover sheet of terrycloth having a soft pile side and a smooth back side. The back side is disposed in face-to-face juxtaposition with a backing sheet of waterproof nylon. The waterproof nylon backing sheet is slightly larger than the terrycloth cover sheet to provide a folded over hem that functions as a moisture dam at the edges of the towel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,603 to Drust

U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,603—issued to Drust on Feb. 7, 1995 in U.S. class 5 and subclass 417—teaches a waterproof blanket to provide protection from ground moisture for use by picnickers and others. It has a waterproof layer for contact with the ground and a non-waterproof and comfortable layer. It is oval in shape. The blanket can be folded and then rolled so that it can be readily transported. Adhesive belts keep the blanket in its rolled configuration when it is being transported. It may also have an attached carrying strap.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0105138 to Nickols

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0105138—published to Nichols on May 18, 2006 in U.S. class 428 and subclass 102—teaches a large towel cover assembled with an elastic stretch band sewn into the entire outer border for a person using an exercise apparatus. The conforming snug fitting towel acts as a cover over any size or brand exercise equipment upholstery padding, thereby providing a perspiration and bacteria barrier. The conforming elastic border prevents the towel from moving or slipping off the equipment upholstery padding. Also, a prospective user can use the towel cover to wipe body perspiration from skin.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0189463 to Boice at al

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0189463—published to Boice et al. on Aug. 24, 2006 in U.S. class 482 and subclass 148—teaches an article for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus. The article includes a main body, a sleeve portion, and at least one pocket. The main body includes a top surface and a bottom surface, is configured as a sheet, and defines a distal end. The sleeve portion is attached to the main body at the distal end and may be disposed upon the bottom surface thereof. The sleeve portion may define a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein. The sleeve portion may support at least the distal end of the main body on the exercise apparatus. The pocket may be disposed on the sleeve portion and define a pocket opening. The pocket may be sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010017521 to Morris

United States Patent Application Publication Number 20100178821—published to Morris on Jul. 15, 2010 in U.S. class 442 and subclass 1—teaches a towel with a non-skid, antimicrobial and polyester mesh material (nylon PVC) backing affixed to the back of the towel for a person exercising or weight training at the gym. The non-skid antimicrobial side of the towel protects the person from the spread of germs. The antimicrobial side of the towel acts as a barrier from the person and the exercise apparatus during usage. The towel is used to protect the person from the germs at the gym, as well as to wipe sweat from the body. The towel includes two distinctive sides. A top side of the towel is made of a terry cloth material or other soft micro-fiber material. A bottom side of the towel contains the non-skid backing that helps keep the towel in place and allows the person to distinguish the side of the towel that lays on the exercise apparatus. The back also has VELCRO® closure strips across the top and approximately 4 inches down from the top. This offers the versatility of the towel to be able of wrapping over or hanging onto a bench or upright exercise machine, with the use of VELCRO® on the top back side of the towel. The towel could also be used in the locker or a sauna to allow the person to use it to sit on instead of sitting directly on the bench or the seats. The towel will be in a rectangular size either in the size of a hand towel or the size of a full size towel.

U.S. Pat. No. D646,102 to Margalit

U.S. Pat. No. D646,102—issued to Margalit on Oct. 4, 2011 in U.S. class D6 and subclass 608—teaches the ornamental design for a sport towel.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0210517 to Patel

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0210517—published to Patel on Aug. 23, 2012 in U.S. class 8 and subclass 137—teaches a multi-purpose towel to be used during exercise activities. The multi-purpose towel includes one side having a fabric sheet for absorbing sweat of a user and a second side including an anti-bacterial barrier to be placed on gym equipment during exercise activities or when resting the gym towel during periods of non-use. The antibacterial barrier includes a rubber-based material, such as, an artificial elastomer including a polymer, which provides a resistant surface. These layers in combination create a usable towel with a water resistant barrier to protect the user from contaminates like germs, sweat, and solvents that are left behind on gym equipment (by other users) that can be absorbed into a traditional gym towel.

U.S. Pat. No. D677,508 to Margalit

U.S. Pat. No. D677,508—issued to Margalit on Mar. 12, 2013 in U.S. class D6 and subclass 608—teaches the ornamental design for a sport towel.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for exercise towels have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a waterproof barrier for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids of a user, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a waterproof barrier that replaceably attaches to an upholstered weight bench and maintains the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids from a previous user. The waterproof barrier includes a cover, a backing, and a maintaining apparatus. The cover selectively covers the upholstered weight bench and absorbs the body fluids of the current user of the upholstered weight bench. The backing lines the cover and prevents the body fluids from a previous user of the upholstered weight bench from coming into contact with the current user. The maintaining apparatus extends around the cover and selectively holds the waterproof barrier onto the upholstered weight bench.

The waterproof barrier provides a snug fit shield made of an absorbent material that slops over to cover the entire exposed upholstered padded area of a weight bench and/or an exercise machine and/or seat prior to sitting or lying on the equipment, and will not slide off when the user lies onto it.

Variations can include, but are limited to, changes in fabric to include polyester, plastic, leather, rubber, denim, paper, etc. The elastic stretch cord band can be replaced with a string, cord, fabric, ties, VELCRO® snaps, buttons, etc. The waterproof barrier is not limited to rectangular in shape, but can be created to be square, circular, etc.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the waterproof barrier of the embodiments of the present invention replaceably attached to an upholstered weight bench and maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids of a user;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the waterproof barrier of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circles identified by ARROWS 4 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING Introductory

-   10 waterproof barrier of embodiments of present invention for     replaceably attaching to upholstered weight bench 12 and for     maintaining upholstered weight bench 12 sanitary from body fluids 14     of previous user 16 -   12 upholstered weight bench -   14 bodily fluids of user 16 -   16 user

Overall Configuration of Waterproof Barrier 10

-   18 cover for selectively covering upholstered weight bench 12 and     for absorbing body fluids 14 of current user 16 of upholstered     weight bench 12 -   20 backing for preventing body fluids 14 from previous user 16 of     upholstered weight bench 12 from coming into contact with current     user 16 -   22 maintaining apparatus for selectively holding cover 18 onto     upholstered weight bench 12

Specific Configuration of Cover 18

-   24 perimeter of cover 18 for engaging around and under upholstered     weight bench 12 -   26 user-facing surface of cover 18 -   28 bench-facing surface of cover 18 -   30 terrycloth of cover 18 for being absorbent for absorbing body     fluids 14 of current user 16 of upholstered weight bench 12 -   32 shield of cover 18 for preventing current user 16 of upholstered     weight bench 12 from making contact with upholstered weight bench     12, and for stretching to fit upholstered weight bench 12

Specific Configuration of Backing 20

-   34 polyurethane laminate fabric of backing 20 -   36 polyester interlock knit fabric of polyurethane laminate fabric     of backing 20 -   38 thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane of polyurethane laminate     fabric of backing 20 -   40 single monolithic fabric of backing 20 -   42 heat-activated glue of single monolithic fabric 40 of backing 20 -   44 makers of polyurethane laminate fabric 34 -   46 reusable incontinence products of makers 44 of polyurethane     laminate fabric 34 -   48 accessories of makers 44 of polyurethane laminate fabric 34 -   50 nappies of makers 44 of polyurethane laminate fabric 34 -   52 wet bags of makers 44 of polyurethane laminate fabric 34 -   54 cloth menstrual pads of makers 44 of polyurethane laminate fabric     34

Specific Configuration of Maintaining Apparatus 22

-   56 conduit of perimeter 24 of cover 18 of maintaining apparatus 22 -   58 stitches of conduit 56 of perimeter 24 of cover 18 of maintaining     apparatus 22 -   60 endless elastic band of maintaining apparatus 22 for allowing     waterproof barrier 10 to stretch and fit onto upholstered weight     bench 12 of different sizes for producing snug fitting waterproof     barrier 10 that is able to stretch and conform to any upholstered     weight bench 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Introductory

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the waterproof barrier of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench 12 and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench 12 sanitary from body fluids 14 from a previous user 16.

The Overall Configuration of the Waterproof Barrier 10

The overall configuration of the waterproof barrier 10 can best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The waterproof barrier 10 comprises a cover 18, a backing 20, and a maintaining apparatus 22. The cover 18 is for selectively covering the upholstered weight bench 12 and for absorbing the body fluids 14 of the current user 16 of the upholstered weight bench 12. The backing 20 lines the cover 18 and is for preventing the body fluids 14 from a previous user 16 of the upholstered weight bench 12 from coming into contact with the current user 16. The maintaining apparatus 22 extends around the cover 18, and is for selectively holding the waterproof barrier 10 on the upholstered weight bench 12.

The Specific Configuration of the Cover 18

The specific configuration of the cover 18 can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The cover 18 is rectangular-shaped, and has a perimeter 24, a user-facing surface 26 and a bench-facing surface 28. The perimeter 24 of the cover 18 depends for engaging around and under the upholstered weight bench 12.

The cover 18 is made from terrycloth 30 for being absorbent for absorbing the body fluids 14 of the current user 16 of the upholstered weight bench 12 by acting as a shield 32 for preventing the current user 16 of the upholstered weight bench 12 from making contact with the upholstered weight bench 12, and for stretching to fit the upholstered weight bench 12.

The Specific Configuration of the Backing 20

The specific configuration of the backing 20 can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The backing 20 is fused to an entirely of the bench-facing surface 28 of the cover 18, up to the perimeter 24 of the cover 18.

The backing 20 is made from a polyurethane laminate fabric 34. The polyurethane laminate fabric 34 is a compound fabric made by laminating a polyester interlock knit fabric 36 to a thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane 38.

Most polyurethane laminate fabrics 34 are made by laminating the polyester interlock knit fabric 36 to the 1 ml thick film of polyurethane 38. There are two processes used for this lamination:

-   -   Solvent lamination that fuses the polyester interlock knit         fabric 36 and the thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane 38         together into a single monolithic fabric 40; and     -   Hot melt that uses heat-activated glue 42 to adhere the         polyester interlock knit fabric 36 and the thin 1 ml thick film         of polyurethane 38 together.

The present invention utilizes the first process of solvent lamination that fuses the polyester interlock knit fabric 36 and the thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane 38 together into the single monolithic fabric 40.

Polyurethane laminated fabric 34 is generally referred to a specific type of use, such as, makers 44 of reusable incontinence products 46 and accessories 48, such as, nappies 50, wet bags 52, and cloth menstrual pads 54.

The backing 20 is non-skid to help keep the waterproof barrier 10 in place on the upholstered weight bench 12.

The Specific Configuration of the Maintaining Apparatus 22

The specific configuration of the maintaining apparatus 22 can best be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The maintaining apparatus 22 includes the perimeter 24 of the cover 18 having a conduit 56. The conduit 56 of the perimeter 24 of the cover 18 is a partial folding over of the perimeter 24 of the cover 18 onto itself along the bench-facing surface 28, and is maintained thereat by stitches 58.

The maintaining apparatus 22 further includes an endless elastic band 60. The endless elastic band 60 extends through the conduit 56 of the perimeter 24 of the cover 18 for allowing the waterproof barrier 10 to stretch and fit onto the upholstered weight bench 12 of different sizes, for producing a snug fitting waterproof barrier 10 that is able to stretch and conform to any upholstered weight bench 12.

The maintaining apparatus 22 prevents the waterproof barrier 10 from moving or slipping off the upholstered weight bench 12.

Impressions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a waterproof barrier for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids of a user, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A waterproof barrier for replaceably attaching to an upholstered weight bench and for maintaining the upholstered weight bench sanitary from body fluids from a previous user, said waterproof barrier comprising: a) a cover, b) a backing; and c) a maintaining apparatus; wherein said cover is for selectively covering the upholstered weight bench; wherein said cover is for absorbing the body fluids of the current user of the upholstered weight bench; wherein said backing lines said cover; wherein said backing is for preventing the body fluids from a previous user of the upholstered weight bench from coming into contact with the current user; wherein said maintaining apparatus extends around said cover; and wherein said maintaining apparatus is for selectively holding said waterproof barrier onto the upholstered weight bench.
 2. The waterproof barrier of claim 1, wherein said cover is rectangular-shaped; wherein said cover has: a) a perimeter; b) a user-facing surface; and c) a bench-facing surface; wherein said perimeter of said cover depends for engaging around and under the upholstered weight bench.
 3. The waterproof barrier of claim 1, wherein said cover is made from terrycloth.
 4. The waterproof barrier of claim 3, wherein said terrycloth of said cover is for being absorbent for absorbing the body fluids of the current user of the upholstered weight bench by acting as a shield for preventing the current user of the upholstered weight bench from making contact with the upholstered weight bench, and for stretching to fit the upholstered weight bench.
 5. The waterproof barrier of claim 2, wherein said backing is fused to an entirely of said bench-facing surface of said cover.
 6. The waterproof barrier of claim 2, wherein said backing is fused to an entirely of said bench-facing surface of said cover, up to said perimeter of said cover.
 7. The waterproof barrier of claim 1, wherein said backing is made from a polyurethane laminate fabric.
 8. The waterproof barrier of claim 7, wherein said polyurethane laminate fabric of said backing is a compound fabric made by laminating a polyester interlock knit fabric to a thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane.
 9. The waterproof barrier of claim 8, wherein said polyurethane laminate fabric of said backing is made by lamination that fuses said polyester interlock knit fabric of said backing and said thin 1 ml thick film of polyurethane of said backing together into a single monolithic fabric of said backing.
 10. The waterproof barrier of claim 1, wherein said polyurethane laminated fabric of said backing is used by makers of reusable incontinence products and accessories, including nappies, wet bags, and cloth menstrual pads.
 11. The waterproof barrier of claim 2, wherein said maintaining apparatus includes said perimeter of said cover having a conduit.
 12. The waterproof barrier of claim 11, wherein said conduit of said perimeter of said cover is a partial folding over of said perimeter of said cover onto itself, along said bench-facing surface of said cover.
 13. The waterproof barrier of claim 11, wherein said conduit of said maintaining apparatus is maintained thereat by stitches.
 14. The waterproof barrier of claim 11, wherein said maintaining apparatus includes an endless elastic band.
 15. The waterproof barrier of claim 14, wherein said endless elastic band extends through said conduit of said perimeter of said cover for allowing said barrier to stretch and fit onto the upholstered weight bench of different sizes, for producing a snug fitting barrier that is able to stretch and conform to any upholstered weight bench. 